Louisiana Legislative Auditor
Daryl G. Purpera, CPA, CFE

June 6, 2016

Independent Auditor's Report Finds Problems with Town of St. Joseph's Financial Operations

An independent auditor engaged to examine the Town of St. Joseph’s finances was unable to conduct the audit because officials could not provide the necessary accounting records and supporting documentation. As a result, the independent auditor declined to issue an opinion on the accuracy of the Town’s 2015 financial statements, the Legislative Auditor said in a report released today.

The independent auditor noted several problems with the Town’s financial operations, some of which were repeat findings from 2014. The problems included:


Currently, the Town is on the Legislative Auditor’s noncompliance list, which means officials cannot access approximately $8.3 million in grants and other funding that will be used to repair the municipal water system. The state Department of Health and Hospitals has cited the Town for several violations related to the water system, and residents have complained repeatedly about the water’s color and odor.

In addition, the state Fiscal Review Committee voted in April to petition the court to appoint a fiscal administrator to take over management of the Town’s financial operations, the state auditor said. A hearing is scheduled for June 6.
For more information contact:

Legislative Auditor
225.339.3800



###

Office of the Louisiana Legislative Auditor | www.LLA.La.gov